Minnesota Shooting Suspect Captured in Green Isle
The Minnesota shooting suspect, Vance Boelter, was arrested Sunday evening following a 43-hour statewide manhunt after the deadly shootings of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted murder of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
Boelter, 57, was taken into custody near his farm in Green Isle, Minnesota, after being spotted earlier in the day on a trail camera. He surrendered without incident when police surrounded him in the woods, according to Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger.
“The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest,” Geiger said during a press conference. Boelter was booked into Hennepin County Jail at 1 a.m. on Monday.
Deadly Attacks Targeted Minnesota Lawmakers
The Minnesota shooting suspect is accused of impersonating a police officer and opening fire at the homes of multiple state lawmakers. Around 2 a.m. Saturday, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times in their Champlin residence. Shortly afterward, Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park.
Authorities believe Boelter used a vehicle made to resemble a police cruiser, complete with flashing emergency lights, and wore a latex mask to disguise his identity. He reportedly gained access to the homes by posing as a law enforcement officer.
Police encountered Boelter near Hortman’s residence at around 3:35 a.m., resulting in an exchange of gunfire before he escaped on foot, abandoning his fake police vehicle at the scene.
Target List Found, FBI Investigating Motive
Inside Boelter’s abandoned vehicle, investigators discovered a target list containing the names of dozens of prominent Minnesota Democrats. The list included Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Law enforcement described the operation to capture the Minnesota shooting suspect as the largest manhunt in state history. The FBI offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter’s arrest, and both state and federal warrants were issued for unlawful flight and homicide.
Lawmakers, Family Targeted in Ambush Attacks
According to Hennepin County court records, the shooting at the Hoffman residence was first reported by the couple’s child. Both John and Yvette Hoffman underwent surgery and are in recovery.
Sen. Hoffman suffered a collapsed lung and multiple gunshot wounds but is now alert and stable. His wife is conscious and doing relatively well, according to associates.
Gov. Walz condemned the attacks, stating, “One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota.” He praised the coordination between agencies that led to Boelter’s capture.
Ongoing Investigation Into Accomplices and Background
Boelter, a husband and father, has a background in security and military training, and was affiliated with Praetorian Guard Security Services, a private firm based in the Twin Cities area, according to his professional bio.
Authorities are also investigating whether Boelter received help while evading capture. “All options are on the table,” said Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Boelter’s wife was detained for questioning after a traffic stop in Onamia late Saturday but was later released. Law enforcement has not disclosed the reason for the stop.
Authorities continue to analyze multiple items of evidence collected from Boelter’s vehicle and the scene, including a hat linked to the suspect found near the abandoned cruiser, which ultimately helped pinpoint his location.
